The principals from the five schools in the Pearl River County School District met yesterday to brainstorm ideas for the upcoming school year and exciting events planned for the first day. 

Superintendent Alan Lumpkin said the day is set aside annually to bring the administration together in order to plan for the school year and address last minute concerns.

The school district’s motto this year is “Aim for the Stars.”

The principals of the five schools each have different celebratory activities planned for children on the first day of school.

“Wild about Learning”

Upper Elementary School Principal Darlene Hall said she and Lower Elementary Principal Sharon Guepet collaborate their celebratory plans because both schools are on the same campus.

The motto for the elementary schools is “Wild about Learning,” Hall said.

Hall said when the students walk on campus the first day, they will be greeted by staff costumed as safari guides, complimented by jungle theme music.

Each grade level will hold a student assembly where expectations for the school year will be discussed, Hall said.

Since the district’s theme is “Aim for the Stars” Guepet said, every class will choose a star or constellation and that will be their mascot, which will also be featured on shirts.

“Don’t Stop Believing”

Middle school principal Missy Holston said their school’s theme this year is “Don’t Stop Believing.”

Songs will be played in the courtyard for the first two days, including Journey songs, Holston said.

Incoming sixth-graders will take the graduating pledge by placing their handprints on the wall.

Holston said a pep-rally will be held in the gym on the second day of school.

Each grade will have two teams and compete in games and competitions.

“The students and staff will celebrate test scores and each grade will meet to discuss expectations and welcome new students,” Holston said.

“Do What We Do”

There will be a party going at the high school, Principal Stacy Baudoin said.

The band, cheerleaders and dance team will perform where the buses and cars each drop students off for school, Baudoin said.

A DJ will be playing music in the courtyard.

Throughout the morning, each class will have a celebration party complete with snacks.

Today, Baudoin said, is freshman orientation and they will be putting their handprints on the wall in honor of their commitment to graduate.

On the first day of school, graduating seniors will sign the graduation gown, Baudoin said.

The theme for the high school is “Do What We Do.”

“Our theme represents the high expectations we have for our students,” Baudoin said.

Career and Technical Educational Director Kelli Beech said each student will receive a bracelet with the theme written on it and teacher’s names will be chosen for door prizes throughout the day.

Baudoin said the first day will close with an academic pep rally recognizing students with proficient and advanced scores on state tests.

“Aim for the Stars”

Nilele Cuave is the principal at the Center for Alternative Education and she said her school is focusing on the district’s theme.

Throughout the hallway, motivational bulletin boards display charts so that each student can track their behavioral and academic progress throughout the school year, Cuave said.

“We want them to know that they can all be stars and to focus on not what they have done wrong in the past, but concentrate on doing right in the future,” Cuave said.

“It’s an exciting time, I’m like one of the kids,” Lumpkin said.

Lumpkin said he looks forward to visiting each of the campuses to see all the fun things administrators and staff have planned for the children.

The first day of school is Thursday, August 7.